Brooksville Fla - 2 Fires, both suspicious

On October 21 at approximately 7:30 PM, the BFD responded to a call for a building fire on South Brooksville. Units leaving the station could see a heavy column of smoke and a glow in the sky.

The BFD only has one station and that night 7 personnel were on duty. An immediate request for mutual aid was made by the Acting Chief (who was at the station)and all off duty personnel were recalled.

The shift commander was the first to arrive with an abandoned 2 story warehouse [an old oil company](50' x 90') with heavy fire conditions throughout and declared a defensive operation. A second alarm was requested. The first in engine laid a 5" supply line and the fire was attacked with 1 2.5" Blitz Line/Ground Monitor (TFT Blitzfire), the Deck Gun and 1 handline. Additional units deployed additional blitz lines and ground monitors.

The Acting Chief arrived and assumed command.

The fire was declared under control at approximately 2030 hours and a request to the State Fire Marshal's Office was made. The fire is currently under investigation by the Brooksville PD and State FM and has been declared "suspicious." One firefighter was transported, treated and released for smoke inhalation. He became enveloped in the smoke cloud when the thermal balance was inverted after the deck gun was charged.

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On October 27, the BFD responded to a reported apartment fire. Mutual Aid was again requested and off duty personnel recalled. First in units encountereed heavy smoke conditions from an apartmnent complex that had 8 units. The fire was in the end unit and was quickly extinguished by firefighters using a 1.75" hand line. The point of origin was in the bathroom and no one was home at the time. There were no signs of forced entry, but due to witnesses reports and interviews with the occupant, the fire was ruled suspicious. The State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating in conjunction with the Brooksville PD.

09-11 .. 343 "All Gave Some..Some Gave ALL" God Bless..R.I.P.
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IACOJ Minister of Southern Comfort
"Purple Hydrant" Recipient (3 Times)
BMI Investigator
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The comments, opinions, and positions expressed here are mine. They are expressed respectfully, in the spirit of safety and progress. They do not reflect the opinions or positions of my employer or my department.